“So, you were trying to find the giant Aberration’s nest,” Reinfried said, “but instead, you found yourself surrounded by Laikos… and ghosts?”

“Yes, exactly.” I nodded.

We had arrived at the barracks, and I was sitting with Reinfried in a private room. A medic had healed my wounds and wrapped me in a small blanket. As I watched the wood burning in the fireplace, I sipped Rinne tea—a drink made from an aromatic herb, which was very healthy but also rather bitter. The town guards were friendlier than I thought.

“I can’t understand what happened back there,” I continued. “It was as if I had walked into a den. Have you ever spotted this many Laikos in the area?”

“No, not even once.” Reinfried felt his stubble pensively. “We’ve never seen Laikos or ghosts.”

“So, something weird happened tonight.”

“I’m afraid so. Someone sent these Laikos to kill you.”

The words caught my attention, and I asked, “What do you mean?”

“Since you’re here on behalf of the guild, I think it’s all right to tell you.” Reinfried sipped his tea. “Lord Faust and I have been gathering clues. There’s evidence that someone might be behind these Aberrations. A human.”

“What kind of evidence?”

“We found bones in the forest. Animal remains and… human sacrifices.”

“Black magic?”

“Yes, the rumors… They’re not baseless. Marie is innocent, but there’s a witch: a lawless mage, to be exact. Someone is performing forbidden rituals to bind demons to animals and create Aberrations.”

I had many questions to ask after this revelation, but one left my mouth faster than all the others: “Why didn’t Lord Faust tell me anything about this?”

“Lower your voice; I don’t want my men to hear us,” Reinfried said. “Lord Faust hates the guild.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“His firstborn was killed in a horrible accident. An adventurer fired an arrow, and it landed in her back. Lord Faust was heartbroken. He tried to arrest the adventurer, but the case was settled out of court after Master Azemir intervened.”

“When did this happen?”

“Ten years ago. Few people remember the incident today.”

“His daughter was killed… by a guild member?” I repeated in disbelief. This might explain his anger when I found the playroom. It explains why he was secretive about the Aberration—why he was trying to drive me away.

“The incident left a scar,” Reinfried said. “Lord Faust was offered blood money, but he never accepted it. He demanded that the guild never set foot in his town again and stormed out of his meeting with Master Azemir.”

I thought for a while and then said, “Are you sure he has no other motive to hide things from me?”

“He said it outright: ‘The guild will bring more misery if it interferes; I will end the Blight alone.’ Lord Faust is a sincere man.”

“Maybe I misjudged him,” I said slowly.

“But I believe that we need the guild. The town guards can’t accomplish much without external help. So, what do you say, Lance? Would you work with us?”

“What’s your plan?”

“Two days from now, I will divide my men into two groups. One will use the midnight lights to find the human culprits, while the other will hunt the giant Aberration. I want you to join the hunt. You killed a lot of Laikos tonight, and you seem like a formidable fighter.”

“I can’t say no when you put it this way.” I scratched my cheek with my finger. “I’ve learned my lesson. Tonight showed me that I can’t go into the fog alone.”

“Yes. A single warrior can only kill or get killed, but a group can create a chance for a strategic retreat. And with every retreat, we gain more knowledge about our enemy.”

“You sound like a philosopher, Sir Reinfried.”

He laughed and said, “I was quoting my mentors. Nothing I said is original. Also, I’d appreciate it if you dropped the Sir. I accepted a post in Ashenbrook because it saves me the formalities of the capital.”

“All right, Reinfried.” I extended my hand above the table. “Let’s do our best to end this nightmare.”

His grip was strong and firm as we shook hands.

“Would you like my men to escort you back to the inn?” he asked.

“No, thank you. I feel much better now.” I stood up. “But before I go, may I ask for a favor?”

“Sure.”

“You’re a graduate of the Imperial Academy, right?”

“Yes,” he said, “all knights are.”

“Can we duel?”

***

I entered my room through the same window that had let me out. No one at the inn noticed that I had left and returned. I changed my clothes and washed my face. I was almost ready to close my eyes and sleep till noon. There was only one last thing that I had to do.

I took my badge out of my pocket. It was not only an ID but also a communication device that connected adventurers to their supervisors. I clicked a small button, and the badge opened like a pocket watch to reveal a round mirror. By sending magic pulses through this mirror, I could talk with Rick, who was at headquarters in Azuria.

“Rise and shine, old man!” I said.

“It’s three in the morning. Let me sleep, for heaven’s sake,” Rick said, and his image appeared on the mirror’s surface. “And who are you calling an old man?”

“It’s a compliment,” I said. “You’re as old as time.”

“I shouldn’t have lent you that rhetoric book,” he sighed. “You’ve learned these annoying quips. And what’s worse is that you only use them against me.”

“It’s because you’re serious all the time.”

“Anyway, what do you want? Don’t tell me you got robbed again.”

“Yes and no.”

“What?”

“Ghosts almost took control of my body.”

“Ghosts?” Rick wiped a tear as he yawned. “Are you sure you didn’t hit your head?”

Before he could accuse me of daydreaming or lying, I told him what had happened. I tried to be as accurate as possible and didn’t miss any of the details. Rick listened to half of my story before he said, “Wait! Wait! Wait! I’m still in bed, and this is too much to process.”

“I haven’t heard of ghost-like Aberrations before. Are there any?”

“I don’t know. I’ll look around and get back to you.”

“I need the information as soon as possible.”

“I’ll contact you tomorrow, Lance. I have extra details about the quest too.”

“I’ll be waiting.” I closed my badge.

“I’m not done talking yet.”

“It’s three in the morning, Rick. Goodnight.”

I put my badge away while he shouted unintelligible curses. No matter how loud he bellowed, however, he couldn’t disturb me; I was just so exhausted that his voice sounded to me like white noise.

***

The night passed, and the morning arrived with the distant cry of a rooster. But I stayed in my snuggly bed, unable to raise my head from the pillow. I enjoyed my dreamless sleep for as long as I could. I was as detached from the world as a lone raft floating in the open ocean, but around noon, someone knocked on my door and forced me to open my eyes.

Dragging my blanket behind me, I grumpily walked across the room. I turned the lock, held the handle, and pushed the lingering drowsiness away. Marie was standing on the landing. Her face was slightly red, and her fingers were curling her bangs. I imagined how shy and hesitant she must’ve been before she knocked, and the mental image was healing.

“Did I wake you up?”

“No.” I rubbed my eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have breakfast with everyone.”

“It’s good that you rested; a lot happened yesterday,” she smiled. “I didn’t want to wake you up, but you have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Sir Reinfried, the commander of the town guards.”

“He’s already here?” The last bits of sleep were forced out of me. “I’m sorry, Marie. I need to get ready.”

I closed the door and rushed to change out of my pajamas.

“What brings Sir Reinfried to our inn?” Marie asked from behind the door.

“I asked him for a favor.”

“When?”

“Last night. It doesn’t matter now.” I rushed out of the room. “I don’t want to keep him waiting.”

I raced down the stairs, jumping the last four and landing with a dull thud. I found Reinfried leaning on the front desk. He didn’t wear the heavy armor I saw yesterday, but his shaggy black hair helped me identify him with ease. He was reading the menu board to pass the time.

“I’m sorry. I overslept.”

“I just got here,” he smiled. “There’s some space behind the inn, and I think we should move there before we begin.”

“Begin what?” Marie asked as she stepped down the last stair.

“Yesterday Lance asked me to help him practice. He said he could learn from a duel, but I doubt I have much to offer.”

“You’re too modest, Reinfried,” I said. “If you’re a graduate of the Imperial Academy, there’s a lot you can teach me.”

“I hope you’re right,” he smiled.

Without a moment to spare, we moved to the inn’s backyard. There were coiling sage-green vines, a few laundry baskets made of pliable wood, and a chicken coop where three hens cackled and jumped. Reinfried and I stood face to face, and the tips of our swords pointed to the gray sky. A distance of only five paces separated us.

“I still can’t understand what’s happening,” Marie said.

“Why?” I smirked. “Did you lose your memory again?”

“No, Lance, but you’re fighting a duel in our backyard!”

“We live in different worlds.” I stuck my tongue out.

“Don’t get full of yourself; you’re about to lose. Humph!” She looked away.

I’m sorry. I know it’s wrong to tease Marie so much, but I can’t help it. There came a flicker of sunlight as if the sky was saying, “We approve!”

I turned my attention to Reinfried and said, “I won’t lose. I need to be at my best to finish the quest, and this practice duel will pave the way for a greater victory.”

Reinfried smiled and said, “I won’t go easy on you.”

“And I won’t either.” I widened my stance.

Before either of us moved, however, the audience increased in number.

“Reinfried is here?” Demetrius, the silver-haired clown, walked into the yard with the top hat on his head. He joined Marie as a spectator. “It seems I’m not the star of today’s show.”

“Do you know each other?” I asked Reinfried.

“Demetrius stopped by the barracks a week ago. His oud was entertaining, but his jokes not so much.”

“That’s harsh!” the clown protested.

“It’s good you came,” Reinfried said. “You must’ve watched duels before. Can you referee?”

“It would be an honor.” Demetrius bowed jocularly. “Are you ready?”

Reinfried nodded.

“And you, Lance?”

Before I answered, I tried to read my opponent’s thoughts. Reinfried wasn’t tense; he was calm and relaxed. Was he belittling me? No, there was more to his demeanor than met the eye. Knights have more secrets than their code of chivalry allows. Only a duel can reveal them.

“I’m ready.”